Ready for Little League?

Baseball...Jason's favorite sport.  He is counting down the days until we can sign Parker up for t-ball.  For Christmas, we got our little man a ball and bat.  We knew it was a bit premature, but it's never too early, right?  Let's face it, he's not going to be built for football.  He doesn't quite understand the game yet, but he'll take any excuse to be outside with his ball and bat and his daddy!



Austin Half Marathon

In all my years running, never once did Jason want to join me on a long distance race.  He's stood by me to watch my marathon and 3 halves, always my biggest fan.  So now, while I'm as big as a house and obviously not running, he decides to sign up for the Austin Half Marathon!!  He trained for a few months in the cold Texas mornings (okay, you can giggle, but we've had some pretty chilly mornings)!  Since Austin is about an hour away, and because it was really cold, I am really pregnant, and Parker is REALLY active, it just wasn't in the cards for us to accompany him.  He didn't need me there anyways.  He did such an amazing job - he finished his first half marathon in under 2 hours!  I'm so very proud of you!  Congrats babe!!



Updates

Wow, let me just come out and say it.  It's downright embarrassing to see that my last post was nearly 4 months ago!  To say that I've been slacking is an understatement.  But those of you who know my daily routine know that I've been keeping busy busy.  Working almost full time, chasing after a now 21-month-old (he runs fast) and less than 8 weeks from the arrival of baby number two, it's hard to find a spare minute (that isn't filled with a quick nap) to keep you up to date with pictures.  I apologize and promise that when I quit my job for good, I'll do better.  (I can hear some of you laughing right now...I know there are doubts.  But staying home with two small children can't consume EVERY second of EVERY day, right?!  Please tell me that's right....) 

We've had a busy few months and just are amazed at how much Parker is learning and expressing himself.  He's a chatter box and his vocabulary grows every single day.  He says, "bless you" when we sneeze.  And after a "thank you" he sometimes responds with "you're welcome," which totally caught us off guard at first.  His hearing is impeccable...always listening for airplanes or birds, which apparently I tune out on any given day.  Our ride to school in the mornings consists of searching for school buses and big trucks.  He's all boy for sure!  Just this week, he's transitioned seamlessly from the crib to a "big boy bed."  It's just a full mattress on the floor but he doesn't even get off it.  We were shocked!!  This means that we won't have to buy another crib for baby 2!  We've had so much fun with Parker.  I sometimes feel a bit guilty that I'll have to divide my time between him and another baby.  I'm excited for him to have a new playmate, but he is my number one and I worry about how much his world is going to change.  I feel that it sometimes seems unfair to him.  Only time will tell how the transition will go, but I pray that my love will multiply and that I'll have enough for two.  It's hard to imagine loving someone else as much as I love him...

Okay, I'm a crying mess (hormones!!).  On to the next post.

Parker's Dedication

I know, I know - I've been slacking in the blog department but things have been a little hectic around our house.  Parker has been keeping us on our toes and now to add to the chaos, we are trying our best to get ready for the holidays.  My parents were in town a few months ago to help us celebrate Parker's dedication at church.  It was a short visit but full of great memories as always.  We went to Sea World (I'll try to post those pics soon) and had a blast.  I just wanted to post a picture of the four of us at church the night of the dedication.  Thank you so much to all our friends that came out to celebrate this joyous occasion.  And as always, thanks mom and dad for traveling all this way!  Can't wait to see y'all at Christmas!! 

 

 



As of September 15th, Jason and I have been married for 5 years!  It's hard to believe that in just a short time, we've moved half way across the country, made some amazing friends here in Texas and have added to our family one furry son and a beautiful baby boy.  I wouldn't have changed a thing!  I am so blessed and happy!  Last week, I found out that Jason was going to take us out of town to celebrate our anniversary.  I was very surprised when the vet called to tell me that Cooper needed a shot prior to being boarded!  Woops!  All week, Jason gave me clue after clue.  I was convinced that we were headed to Houston to take in the sites, go to a ball game, and enjoy the city.  Boy was I wrong (imagine that?!)!  We took our first car trip with Parker and headed south...WAY south to South Padre Island.  It was beautiful!  We had such an amazing weekend on the beach, in the pool, eating good food, and just being together.  I couldn't have asked for anything better.  Thanks babe!!



VA/NC for the 4th of July!

I know it's been a while since I've posted anything, but I'm still recovering from our travels back east to celebrate Parker's 1st birthday (yes, again!) and spend some quality time with our family and friends.  The trip was amazing!  We surprisingly made it there in one piece (flying with a 1-year-old is no easy task)!  We were so blessed to have the entire Walsh/Corack family and the entire Todd family together to celebrate Parker.  Plus, an added bonus - Sarah, Rob, Reid and Clare drove from Charlottesville to be with us as well.  We can't thank you all enough.

Parker saw the beach for the first time!  Boy did he love the water (that's no surprise - the kid LOVES to splash)!  He only tasted the sand once...he's a quick learner!  We spent the 4th of July with the Tyls and were so happy to have finally met Ben!  What a bruiser!  We can't wait to watch him grow!! 
Ryan and Sarah also came down from Northern Virginia to visit for a few days.  They were so thoughtful to bring some of our favorite goodies from Sweetwater!  Thanks guys! 

For everyone who traveled, visited and went out of their way to see us, THANK YOU!  I hope you all know how much we miss you and can't wait to see you again.  We are so lucky to feel so much love from so far away. 

Happy Birthday Parker! You're 1!!

Well it's official....Jason and I have kept him alive for a whole year :o)  That's right, my baby boy turned ONE on Friday.  It was bitter sweet for sure.  We took him to his one year check up.  He looks great and is growing every day.  He got his shots and took them like a big boy!!  On his actual birthday, we kept it low key since we were planning a cookout on Saturday.  We sang to our birthday boy and let him try ice cream for the first time (but not the last!)!  Then on Saturday, our awesome friends came over to help us celebrate.  There were lots of gifts - thanks to all who came!!  Parker also got his first cupcake!!  He wasn't shy as you can tell by the pictures. 

We leave for VA on Thursday and can't wait to see everyone and celebrate with some more cake!!!  American Airlines - this is your official warning.  :o)  The last few flights with Parker were a breeze but something tells me that this trip is going to be one for the books...

It's unbelievable how our lives have changed in a year.  It's hard to imagine what they were like before we were blessed with Parker.  He has tought Jason and me so much about ourselves and about life.  We are so thankful to have been given the gift of parenthood.  It hasn't been easy, and we're oh so tired....but we wouldn't change it for the world.

A video you're sure to enjoy: